Automatic deck support



Feb. 21, 1933.

L. W. WINKELMANN AUTOMATIC DECK SUPPORT Filed June 19, 1931 Patented Feb. 21, 1933 PATENT OFFICE LESTER W. WINKELMANN, F MILFORD, IOWA AUTOMATIC DECK SUPPORT Application filed June 19, 1931.

An object of my invention is to provide an automatic support for the rear decks of automobiles or lids of receptacles in general, the support being of simple, durable and inexpensive construction.

Still a further object is to provide asupport for a deck or lid which is automatic in that when the deck or lid is raised and then slightly lowered the support becomes operan tive to retain the lid in raised position and when the lid is subsequently slightly raised and then lowered the support allows full lowering of the lid to its closed position.

Still a further object is to provide a support consisting of a pair of bars which are normally folded but which are unfolded to substantial alinement when the lid is open and remain in substantially alined position when the lid is slightly lowered with a track and lug mechanism on the bars arranged to cause rc-folding of the support when the lid is subsequently slightly raised and then lowered to closed position.

W'ith these and other objects in view my invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of-my device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of an automobile showing my automatic deck support applied to the rear deck thereof.

Figure 2 is a sectional view on the line 22 of Figure 1 showing an edge view of the support.

Figure 3 is a view of the support in the direction of the arrow 3 in Figure 1, showing the parts in folded position and by dotted lines in partially unfolded position.

Figure 4 shows the parts in fully unfolded position and by dotted lines in rigid alinement.

Figure 5 shows the parts being extended by slightly raising the deck so that a lug engages a portion of the track for breaking the joint; and

Figure 6 shows the joint broken and the Serial No. 545,433.

parts of the support being folded together by lowering the deck.

On the accompanying drawing I have used the reference character A to indicate generally an automobile. One of the coupe type is shown, having a receptacle 10 formed with an opening 11. A deck or lid 12 is provided for the opening 11 and is hinged adjacent the front edge thereof. My deck support is indicated generally by the reference character B and comprises a primary bar 12 and a secondary bar 16. The primary bar 14 is hinged to a flange 18 of the opening 11 by means of a bolt or the like 20. A friction connection is provided at this point by means of a resilient friction washer722.

The secondary bar 16 is pivoted at 24 to a bracket-25 which is secured by screws 27 to the deck or lid 12. A slot 26 is formed in the lower end of the secondary bar 16 through which a rivet 28 loosely extends. The rivet 28 also extends through the upper end of the primary bar 14.

A lug 30 is formed on the lower end of the secondary bar 16. A track C is provided for coaction with the lug 30. The track C comprises members 32 and 34: The member 32 has a guide portion 32a and a contraction limit stop portion 32?).

The member 34 has a. secondary guide surface 340 and an extension limit stop portion 346.

Practical operation in the operation of my device the bars 14 and 16 are folded to about the position shown by full lines in Figure 3. When the deck 12 is swung upwardly the primary bar 14 will swing slightly upwardly as shown by the arrow a, the secondary bar also swinging upwardly as shown by the arrow 6, to the dotted line position.

When the deck 12 is up as far as it will go the two bars 14 and. '16 will be in alinement as shown by full lines in Figure 4. The friction Washer 22 will-hold the bar 14' in such alinement While the deck 12 is subsequently moved downwardly a slight degree to the dotted line position. During this movement the lug 30 will follow the path of the arrow 0 along the guide surface 32a for breaking the joint and finally come to rest in the contraction limit stop portion 326. In this position the portion 32b coacts with the lug 30 to cause the bars 14 and 16 to remain in substantially rigid alinement for supporting the deck 12.

In order to close the deck, it is first lifted slightly whereupon the bars 14 and 16 assume the position shown in Figure 5, and further lifting movement causes the lug 30 to slide along the guide surface 34a as indicated by the arrow (1. The lug 30 finally comes to rest in the extension limit stop portion 34b and when the deck 12 is subsequently lowered the lu will swing out from the stop portion 346 with a guide portion 320 aiding in causing such outswinging movement of the lug relative to the bar 14.

Further downward movement of the deck 12 will cause the support to fold as shown in Figure 6, whereupon the support is in position for again repeating the cycle of operations outlined when the deck is opened and subsequently closed. 'It will be noted that the operation of the support is such that it is automatic, that is, it is unnecessary to manipulate the support in any manner in order to raise or lower the deck, but the deck can be merely raised and lowered without thought of the support, the deck operating the support to cause its movement to rigidly alined positions and folded positions successively. In this respect the support is superior to the one now used on automobiles which must be engaged by the operator and manipulated to a non-catched position with one hand while he holds the deck with the other one before the deck can be lowered.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts of my device without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims, any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents, which may be reasonably included within their scope.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a device of the class described, a primary bar having one end hinged to a receptacle, a secondary bar slidable and pivotal relative thereto, having one end hinged to a lid for said receptacle and means including a spring resisting pivotal movement of the primary bar relative to the receptacle for causing said bars to remain in rigid alinement when said lid is raised and then lowered and for causing their slidable and pivotal moverelative thereto, having one end hinged to a lid for said receptacle, and track and lug means for causing said bars to remain in rigid alinement when said lid is raised and then lowered and for causing their slidable and pivotal movement and movement from such rigid alinement when said lid is subsequently raised and lowered.

3. In a device of the class described, a primary bar having one end hinged to a receptacle, a secondary bar slidable and pivotal relative thereto, having one end hinged to a lid for said receptacle, a lug on one of said bars and a track for coaction therewith on the other bar for causing said bars to remain in rigid alinement when said lid is raised and then lowered and for causing their slidable and pivotal movement and movement from such rigid alinment when said lid is subsequently raised and lowered.

4. In a device of the class described, a primary bar having one end hinged to a receptacle, a secondary bar slidable and pivotal relative thereto, having one end hinged to a lid for said receptacle, a track on one of said bars and a lug on the other one for coacting therewith, said track having a contraction limit stop portion with which said lug is engageable for causing said bars to remain in rigid alinement when said lid is raised and then lowered and a joint breaker portion to cause movement of said bars from such rigid alinement when said lid is subsequently raised and lowered.

5. In a device of the class described, a primary bar, a secondary bar slidable and pivotal relative thereto, one of said bars having a lug and the other one having a track, said track having a contraction limit stop portion with which said lug is engageable when said bars are moved toward each other and a joint breaker portion with which said lug is engageable when said bars are moved away from each other for then permitting folding of the bars together.

6. In a device of the class described, a primary bar, a secondary bar slidable and pivotal relative thereto, one of said bars having a lug and the other one having a track, said track having a contraction limit stop portion with which said lug is engageable when said bars are moved toward each other, a joint breaker portion and an extension limit stop.

Des Moines, Iowa, June 11th, 1931.

LESTER W. WINKELMANN. 

